Moodustatav

Moodustatav is an Estonian adjective meaning “that can be formed” or “formable,” derived from the verb moodustama “to form, create” with the derivational suffix -atav. The term expresses potentiality or capacity for formation under given conditions. It is used in technical, scientific, and descriptive language to characterize processes, materials, and structures that can be produced or constituted.

In morphology, moodustatav behaves as a regular attributive adjective and agrees in case, number, and definiteness with the noun it modifies. Common collocations include moodustatavate ühendite koostis (the composition of formable compounds), moodustatava materjali omadused (the properties of the formable material), and moodustatav kiht (a formable layer). In geology and chemistry, moodustatav can describe materials or phases that form under specific environmental conditions. In broader usage, it conveys that a formation is not yet realized but is possible under defined circumstances.

Etymology: moodustatav is formed from moodustama plus the suffix -atav, which denotes capability or potentiality. Distinctions: moodustatav contrasts with moodustuv (forming, in progress) and moodustuma (to be formed), where moodustatav emphasizes potential rather than the actual formation.

The term is established in Estonian linguistic and scientific corpora and appears in dictionaries as a productive derivational form to indicate formability. It is most common in technical or descriptive contexts and may be less frequent in casual speech.